A study of Antimicrobial Activity, Acute Toxicity and Cytoprotective Effect of a Polyherbal Extract in a Rat Ethanol-HCl Gastric Ulcer Model.

The decoction of the aerial parts of Rhynchosia recinosa (A.Rich.) Bak. [Fabaceae] is used in combination with the stem barks of Ozoroa insignis Del. (Anacardiaceae), Maytenus senegalensis (Lam.) Excell. [Celastraceae] Entada abyssinica Steud. ex A.Rich [Fabaceae] and Lannea schimperi (Hochst.)Engl. [Anacardiaceae] as a traditional remedy for managing peptic ulcers. However, the safety and efficacy of this polyherbal preparation has not been evaluated. This study reports on the phytochemical profile and some biological activities of the individual plant extracts and a combination of extracts of the five plants. METHODS: A mixture of 80% ethanol extracts of R. recinosa, O. insignis, M. senegalensis, E. abyssinica and L. schimperi at doses of 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body wt were evaluated for ability to protect Sprague Dawley rats from gastric ulceration by an ethanol-HCl mixture. ytoprotective effect was assessed by comparison with a negative control group given 1% tween 80 in normal saline and a positive control group given 40 mg/kg body wt pantoprazole. The individual extracts and their combinations were also tested for antibacterial activity against four Gram negative bacteria; Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Salmonella typhi (NCTC 8385), Vibrio cholerae (clinical isolate), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (clinical isolate) using the microdilution method. In addition the extracts were evaluated for brine shrimp toxicity and acute toxicity in mice. Phytochemical tests were done using standard methods to determine the presence of tannins, saponins, steroids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids and terpenoids in the individual plant extracts and in the mixed extract of the five plants. RESULTS: The combined ethanolic extracts of the 5 plants caused a dose-dependent protection against ethanol/HCl induced ulceration of rat gastric mucosa, reaching 81.7% mean protection as compared to 87.5% protection by 40 mg/kg body wt pantoprazole. Both the individual plant extracts and the mixed extracts of 5 plants exhibited weak to moderate antibacterial activity against four G-ve bacteria. Despite Ozoroa insignis being toxic to mice at doses above 1000 mg/kg body wt, the other plant extracts and the combined extract of the 5 plants were tolerated by mice up to 5000 mg/kg body wt. The brine shrimp test results showed the same pattern of toxicity with Ozoroa insignis being the most toxic (LC50 = 10.63 mug/ml). Phytochemical tests showed that the combined extract of the five plants contained tannins, saponins, steroids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids and terpenoids. Flavonoids, tannins and terpenoids are known to have antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION: The combined extract of the five plants exhibited a dose-dependent protective activity in the rat ethanol-HCl gastric ulcer model. The extracts also exhibited weak antibacterial activity against four Gram negative bacteria and low acute toxicity in mice and brine shrimps. Although the results support claims by traditional healers who use a decoction of the five plants for treatment of peptic ulcers, more models of gastric ulceration and proper animal toxicity studies are needed to validate possible clinical use of the polyherbal extract. It is also evident that the doses of the crude extracts showing protection of the gastric mucosa are too large for realistic translation to direct clinical application, but further studies using bioassay guided fractionation are important to either identify more practical fractions or active compound/s

PlantID – DNA-based identification of multiple medicinal plants in complex mixtures

Background An efficient method for the identification of medicinal plant products is now a priority as the global demand increases. This study aims to develop a DNA-based method for the identification and authentication of plant species that can be implemented in the industry to aid compliance with regulations, based upon the economically important Hypericum perforatum L. (St John’s Wort or Guan ye Lian Qiao). Methods The ITS regions of several Hypericum species were analysed to identify the most divergent regions and PCR primers were designed to anneal specifically to these regions in the different Hypericum species. Candidate primers were selected such that the amplicon produced by each species-specific reaction differed in size. The use of fluorescently labelled primers enabled these products to be resolved by capillary electrophoresis. Results Four closely related Hypericum species were detected simultaneously and independently in one reaction. Each species could be identified individually and in any combination. The introduction of three more closely related species to the test had no effect on the results. Highly processed commercial plant material was identified, despite the potential complications of DNA degradation in such samples. Conclusion This technique can detect the presence of an expected plant material and adulterant materials in one reaction. The method could be simply applied to other medicinal plants and their problem adulterants

EVALUATING THE CLINICAL EFFICACY OF A POLYHERBAL FORMULATION AROGH PLUS ON STRESS – A RANDOMISED CLINICAL STUDY

Background : Stress is a common entity, widely spoken about among the working population, for which a safe and effective remedy is needed.Purpose of the study : To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of Arogh plus a polyherbal formulation, towards stress relieving properties in a randomized clinical trial in volunteers.Results : Ten volunteers from Marketing field, evaluated to be under stress, completed the full course. All were clinically evaluated based upon symptoms, anthropometric evaluation, hematological, diabetic and serum cortisol and urine profile. All the parameters were evaluated during 0 day, 15th day, 30th day and on 45th day after stopping the drug internally. Three grams of Arogh plus was given twice daily for a period of 30 days was found to decrease symptoms due to stress and the benefits was reinforced by way of significant reduction in serum cortisol with a reduction of 36.99 % within a month.Conclusion: Arogh plus is an effective formulation in relieving stress and improving the quality of life

Polyherbal Formulation used in the Treatment of Jaundice

Plants have traditionally served as man\u27s most important weapon against pathogens. Herbal medicines are widely used by all sections of the community, either as folk remedies or as medicaments in the indigenous as well as modern system of medicine. The present work was performed to enumerate the medicinal herbs that tribes and rural people uses for the treatment of jaundice. Data were collected by interviewing local traditional therapists and tribes of the region. Details of 10 herbs and 03 formulations were gathered along with their doses, duration and formulations during the course of present investigation in the study area. Our study revealed that all above herbs and their formulations have been used since quite a long time by the tribes and rural people and no side/ adverse effects were reported

The Potential of EMSA Eritin to Modulate T Cells (CD4+ and CD8+) in Balb/C Mice Model of Diabetes Mellitus

EMSA Eritin is a medicinal polyherbal contains with soy bean, coconut water and red rice extract. In several studies of this individual components have proven the potential to modulate lymphocyte cells that indirectly lowering blood glucose levels in diabetes meliitus. This study was aimed to analyzing the effect of polyherbal EMSA Eritin on the expression of CD4+, CD8+ and SDF-1 cells population in mice model of diabetes mellitus. Neonatal d-5 mice was intraperitoneally injected with Streptozotocin (STZ) 100 mg.kg-1 BW. Four weeks post injection the mice was treated with EMSA Eritin in three doses 0.3125 mg.g-1 BW, 3.125 mg.g-1 BW and 31.25 mg.g-1 BW for 14 days. Cells Profile of T lymphocyte (CD4+ and CD8+) and chemokine SDF-1 were analyzed by Flow cytometry. Data were analyzed with One-way ANOVA (p<0.05) and Duncan test using SPSS 16.0 for Windows. The result showed that EMSA Eritin significantly increased T lymphocyte (CD4+ and CD8+) in optimum dose 3.125 mg.g-1 BW and suppress SDF-1 production in high dose (31.25 mg.g-1 BW) as well as the blood glucose level measurement. This study suggest that polyherbal EMSA Eritin has a potential to decreased blood glucose level in mice model of diabetes mellitus

Formulation and Evaluation of Polyherbal Anthelmintic Preparation

The present study was done with the aim to formulate an anthelmintic preparation and to evaluate anthelmintic activity of formulation containing traditionally user herbs viz., Plumbago zeylanica (leaves), Hyoscyamus niger (roots) and Abultion indicum (leaves) using adult earthworm Pheritima posthuma. The aqueous and ethanolic extract of the crude drug of different concentration were tested which involve determination of paralysis time and time to kill the worms. Piperazine citrate was used as standard and it was found that the PHFEE activity is higher than PHFAE

In vitro anti-cholinesterase and anti-oxidant activity of three standardised polyherbal products used for memory enhancing in ethnomedicine of South-East Nigeria

Background: Polyherbal standardised extracts used in ethnomedicine of Eastern Nigeria for memory improvements were evaluated for anti-cholinesterases and anti-oxidant properties. Methods: Anti-cholinesterase, anti-oxidant, and total phenolic and flavonoid contents were established using standard procedures. Results: The three polyherbal extracts exhibited significant concentration dependent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity (P = 0.001). The highest AChE inhibition was observed with the Neocare Herbal Tea (NHT) with 99.7% (IC50 = 324 μg/mL); whereas the Herbalin Complex Tea (HCT) and Phytoblis Herbal Tea (PHT) exhibited 73.8% (IC50 = 0.2 μg/mL) and 60.6% (IC50 = 0.7 μg/mL) inhibition, respectively, relative to eserine at 100% inhibition (IC50 = 0.9 μg/mL) at 200 μg/mL. The order of percentage increase in inhibition of AChE was NHT > HCT > PHT; while the order of decrease in potency was HCT > PHT > NHT. Radical scavenging activities of HCT, NHT and PHT were 82.13% (IC50 = 0.08 μg/mL), 77.43% (IC50 = 0.01 μg/mL) and 76.28% (IC50 = 0.3 μg/mL), respectively, at 1 mg/mL concentrations. The reducing power revealed a dose-dependent effect, with NHT > PHT > HCT. The order of total phenolics content in the extracts were PHT > HCT > NHT, and for total flavonoids content: PHT > NHT > HCT. Conclusion: The three polyherbal standardised products possess significant acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity and secondary metabolites that could collectively contribute to their memory-enhancing effects

Studies on two polyherbal formulations (ZPTO and ZTO) for comparison of their antidyslipidemic, antihypertensive and endothelial modulating activities

Background Cardiovascular disorders (CVDs) are the leading cause of disease burden worldwide. Apart from available synthetic drugs used in CVDs, there are many herbal formulations including POL-10 (containing 10 herbs), which have been shown to be effective in animal studies but POL-10 was found to cause tachycardia in rodents as its side effect. This study was designed to modify the composition of POL-10 for better efficacy and/or safety profile in CVDs. Methods To assess the antidyslipidemic, antihypertensive and endothelial modulatory properties of two herbal formulations, (ZPTO and ZTO) containing Z: Zingiber officinalis, P: Piper nigrum, T: Terminalia belerica and O: Orchis mascula, different animal models including, tyloxapol and high fat diet-induced dyslipidemia and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were used. Effect on endothelial function was studied using isolated tissue bath set up coupled with PowerLab data acquisition system. The antioxidant activity was carried out using DPPH radical-scavenging assay. Results Based on preliminary screening of the ingredients of POL-10 in tyloxapol-induced hyperlipidemic rats, ZPTO and ZTO containing four active ingredients namely; Z, P, T and O were identified for further studies and comparison. In tyloxapol-induced hyperlipidemic rats, both ZPTO and ZTO caused significant reduction in serum triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC). In high fat diet-fed rats, ZPTO decreased TC, low-density lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL-C) and atherogenic index (AI). ZTO also showed similar effects to those of ZPTO with additional merits being more effective in reducing AI, body weight and more importantly raising high-density lipoproteins. In SHR, both formulations markedly reduced systolic blood pressure, AI and TG levels, ZTO being more potent in reversing endothelial dysfunction while was devoid of cardiac stimulatory effect. In addition, ZTO also reduced LDL-C and improved glucose levels in SHR. In DPPH radical-scavenging activity test, ZTO was also more potent than ZPTO. Conclusion The modified formulation, ZTO was not only found more effective in correcting cardiovascular abnormalities than ZPTO or POL-10 but also it was free from tachycardiac side-effect, which might be observed because of the presence of Piper nigrum in ZPTO

Efecto de la adición de fórmula poliherbal sobre respuesta productiva, calidad y oxidación lipídica de carne de conejo

Se realizó un experimento para evaluar un aditivo alimentario basado en Emblica officinalis, Ocimum santctum, Tinospora cordifolia y Withania somnifera en los parámetros productivos y la calidad de la carne de conejo en la finalización. Utilizamos 40 conejos (Nueva Zelanda x California, peso inicial 980 ± 70 g), donde los tratamientos se asignaron de acuerdo con un diseño completamente al azar y consistió en la inclusión en la alimentación del aditivo ImmuPlus en: 0, 200, 400, 600 y 800 mg / kg. Se observó una respuesta lineal (P 0.05) en la conversión y digestibilidad. No se encontraron efectos (P <0.05) en el rendimiento de la canal, pH en muestras de Longissimus dorsi y Quadriceps femoris (24 horas después del sacrificio), capacidad de retención de agua, color u oxidación de lípidos. En lo económico los tratamientos con 400 y 600 mg/kg de la fórmula poliherbal presentaron una mayor utilidad y relación ingreso/egreso en conejo vivo y en canal. La adición de la fórmula poliherbal puede ser una opción para mejorar la respuesta productiva, sin generar un impacto económico negativo ya que se observó un incremento en la relación ingreso/egreso en canales, todo esto sin afectar negativamente la calidad de la carne